Ecotoxicological Aspects in the Biodegradation Process of Polymers

This chapter contains an overview of the direct environmental impact, of biodegradable polymers. The theme is complex because different types of ecosystems are involved and must be considered separately. Therefore it is the intention to keep all explanations short. In that sense the very basics of organic waste recovery, ecotoxicology and soil and sediment ecology are summarised in a few words, but references to a selection of specialised textbooks are given. 

The structure of the following sections should allow the reader to become more familiar with the theme step by step. The sections are  

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